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“Gru’hgnnnn?” Releasing a strangled grunt at the feeling of something landing heavy on his stomach Gris woke with a start. Flailing to grab his knife from his bedside as the onslaught of dull movement continued he’d nearly reached it before registering what had landed on top of him.
Technically who had landed on top of him.
His haste to defend himself had knocked away Otto and Epalte’s little toy jinki’s that had bounced onto his torso to wake him up, the two now staring up at him from by his calves. “Oh it’s you two.” he said, heaving a relieved sigh and putting his knife back onto his dresser. They clearly needed him for a non-field related emergency since it was only them disturbing him before dawn. “What time is it anyways?” glancing at his bedside clock it only blinked 3:45 at him.
“You look like shit.” Was tapped on his chest by Otto. “Thanks…” He said dryly “How did you even get in here?” He knew his door was locked so why were these two in his room insulting him? “Crawled through the vents.” Epalte tapped with a shrug. Alright. Whatever. Moving on.
“What are you? Rats?” he said dryly only to receive two simultaneous taps to his legs in anger. “Fine, fine, sorry. You did just wake me up in a very rat-like manner though.” he grumbled. Looking at his clock again it was now 3:51, the more time he spent scolding the two the less time he’d have to fix their problem and get back to bed. Besides it's not like scolding the two ever worked anyways. “Is something wrong? It’s really early…” Both the action figures looked at each other with an almost palpable nervousness before they leaned forward and tapped on his legs
“We think Fu is in heat.”
Fuck.
Throwing his blankets off and swinging his feet to the floor he nearly launched the twins across the room in his haste. Nearly tripping as he struggled to get his slippers on as quickly as possible he unlocked and swung his door open, dashing through the halls to the guest room. Since Fu hadn’t been officially conducted into The Cleaners he hadn’t been given a permanent space (Gris was almost certain Corvus was testing Fu somehow). Still the young man had seemed happy to take up one of the rooms' various bunkbeds as his own, not even minding how cramped it was with a multitude of mix-matched furniture shoved inside.
But the guestroom was not meant to house someone going through their cycle. It lacked scent padding, nesting material, and many other necessities and because Fu was so new to their pack they couldn’t just let him into the usual heat room for the other omega’s. So if the two betas in little mech suits were right and there was a new omega heat they were woefully unprepared for it.
He reached the guestroom door and skidded to a stop, his legs nearly swiping out from under him when he smelt something like cherry syrup with a crisp undertone of iron leaking from the crack at the bottom of the door. Fu was definitely in heat if his usually muted scent was almost palpable from this far away. Reaching for the handle of the door he took a few moments to let his breathing even out. He didn’t want to freak Fu out by coming in frantic. Fu was still a pup and seemingly a pup with a hard life if his strange need for ‘orders’ said anything. It would be bad if he caused the kid to go feral.
Steeling himself for whatever challenges laid behind the door he opened it letting some of his scent leak out, caramelized lemon and vanilla coming together to smell like freshly baked cookies (Follo’s words). For an alpha he’d always been told he had an omega like scent and while It had caused him grief in his younger years he now damn proud to have such a soothing scent. Slipping into the room and shutting the door behind him he let out a small shocked gasp.
The room looked like a tornado had blown through it.
The guestroom with its maze of bunkbeds and bedside tables was already a disaster on a good day even without people passing through but this took the cake for the messiest it had ever been. All the bed frames had been tipped over and stacked on top of each other to form a barricade blocking the back half of the room off from invaders. They had also all stripped of their mattresses which he could see through the bed frame grates had been stacked into a somewhat stable looking fort. He knew Fu was strong, even without his jinki but this was kinda insane. He'd heard of omegas with intense nesting desires but this was a new extreme.
“Fu? Are you back there pup?” His call got no answer but he could see the mattress fortress shake slightly. Fu was such a sporadic and nervous kid on a good day, his eager need to please clashing with his anxiety of thinking on his own making him a walking trainwreak… or maybe a walking battlefront. “It’s me, Gris, I’m gonna get over to you ok?” He tried to comfort, walking along the barricade. He didn’t want to knock everything over and scare the kid more than he probably already was but he might have to risk it.
Luckily near the wall farthest to the right there was a small gap he could pass through when he slid the bunk that was slightly farther back than the others to the side, like a secret door. Pushing his way through he let more of his scent free he slowly padded over to what he assumed was the blanket door entrance of the mattress fort. “Fu? Fu, are you in there? Can you answer me?” He heard more shuffling similar to earlier before a head poked out near his feet. Fu was looking up at him with a large languid smile and pupils the size of dinner plates.
Not What He Was Expecting….
“Hi Grisssssss, Grissy bear, Grizzly bear kehehehehe. You’re strong like one… sucks their extinct it’d be cool to see you fight one keheheha…” Fu softly laughed as he began to crawl forward a little, grabbing onto Gris’s legs. The pup nuzzled his calf with a happy purr still giggling to himself “Of course I’d come an help you if its friends tried to help…. As long as Enjin ordered me too anyways kehehehe.”. “Not going to lie, I expected him to at least growl at me.” he thought, feeling a little taken aback. Gris had expected something more.. aggressive.. if he was being honest. Not that he was calling Fu aggressive, no the boy was quite a sweetheart in his own way. It's just that any second dynamic without a permanent nest or territory was known to be more hostile to others in their space.
Fu was completely at ease, Suspiciously at ease. Moving slowly just in case Fu’s mood suddenly switched he squatted down the best he could to run a hand through Fu’s bedhead. Fu was receptive to his touch and nuzzled into him. “Hey Fu, how ya feeling buddy?” He asked. Fu glassy eyes became a little clearer and he seemed to consider Gris’s question but instead just started to giggle again. “Common Fu simple answers are fine. Do you feel good or bad?”
“Good. Really good. It’s so nice here I’ve never been so comfy.” the young omega sighed, gazing up at him contentedly before a spark of panic flashed across his face “Am I in trouble? I’m sorry about the room, I promise I’ll put it back! Please…. Please just let me have this nest for a little longer!” The omega said, shrinking in on himself and letting go of Gris’s leg. He immediately started to shush Fu, petting his head and rubbing one of his wrists against Fu’s neck.
“Nobody’s upset, you’re ok, you’re ok.” His gentle words and scenting settling Fu back down. “I’ll even do you one better. I’ll go get you some more blankets and items. Hell you know what I’m going to even bother Enjin so that he’ll take care of you too.” He continued to soothe and at the sound of Enjin’s name Fu’s smile returned. Besides, it would be good to alert the others of the situation. He didn’t want to cause more trouble by not letting anyone know.
“Real slick Gris, throwing me under the bus like that.”
Both he and Fu startled at the new voice behind them. Enjin flopped against his back to peer over his head at Fu making the pup's grin grow wider, almost seeming to glow at Enjin’s presence “Enjin! Hi!”. Enjin chuckled warmly at Fu’s enthusiasm “Fu! Hi!” He mimicked back, teasing in a high mocking tone that made Fu flush and Gris roll his eyes. “How’d you even know what was happening?” He groused. He was glad Enjin had arrived but a little professionalism would be nice.
“The twins got me. Crawled through my vents to tell me the fun news.” Enjin drawled as the tattooed man peeled himself away from Gris and got on his knees next to Fu. The omega moved quickly, grabbing at Enjin’s loose shirt and started dragging the man into his nest. Gris laughed and gave a small finger wave as he watched panic take over Enjin's features and the man wobbled a bit to not fall flat on his face. “Hey! Hey! Fu! What are ya thinking kid?” Enjin yelped as he tried to brace himself against the floor but he was no match for Fu’s raw strength or the push Gris gave him to keep him moving.
“Come on! Gris said he’d take care of stuff so let me scent you.” Fu giddily replied, finally hauling Enjin completely into his fortress. Laughing Gris got one last look at Enjin’s disgruntled expression before the fort's blanket door flopped closed. Fu must’ve taken his statement of getting Enjin as an order of “When Enjin gets here I want you to scent him.” somehow.
Standing up he shook out the pins and needles in his legs that had started to come, taking a moment to think of a plan. First he needed to grab Eishia so she could look over Fu. The pup was acting strange given the circumstances and the boy was a neurotic mess on a good day. Then maybe wake any of the others in team Akuta who might be willing to help. Fu was still an outsider despite his help dealing with the information broker.
It wasn’t likely that the others would feel comfortable scenting him or even handing over any items. He’d also need to inform Semiu and Corvus so they were aware of the situation, or have somebody else get them in the loop.
Content with his plan he paused one last time before leaving. He could hear Fu purring and chirping contently well Enjin grumbled faintly. Smiling, he peeled his sleep shirt over his head and left it by the blanket door before leaving the way he came, shimmying along the wall once more and exiting the guest room.
Shutting the guest room door behind him he began making his way to Eishia’s room. Luckily her room was just down the hall practically between the guest room and the infirmary. Beginning his quick walk he heard tiny, clicking footprints following him and looked down to see Otto’s jinki keeping pace beside him. Not slowing his pace he reached down and scooped the little action figure up before resting Otto on his shoulder. “Was he in heat?” Otto tapped against his head. Figures Otto would want confirmation since he couldn’t exactly smell anything right now.
“Yeah.” He confirmed with a thoughtless nod that almost shook Otto from his perch “Thanks for getting Enjin.”
“Our pleasure.”
“Where is Epalte by the way?”
“He stayed behind to help Enjin.”
“Whew, that's a relief.” It's not that Gris didn’t believe Enjin couldn’t handle the delicate situation but if something went south it was always good to have an extra set of hands. Even if said hands were plastic and 1/8th their usual size. Their short conversation almost made him walk right by Eishia’s room but he quickly backtracked and raised his fist to knock on the young beta nurse's door.
“C…Co…Coming! Just a second!” A stuttery voice called from the other side of the door. Gris could hear what sounded like frantic whispering and much commotion before a flustered Eishia was opening her door. Now a flustered Eishia is a common occurrence, expected even, the equally flustered Follo and smug Riyo flanking her sides not so much. Eishia was wearing Follo’s pants and Riyo’s shirt, Follo himself was shirtless but had Eishia’s blankets wrapped around his shoulders, and Riyo was wearing one of Eishia’s shirts and her own shorts. “Is something the matter? Is somebody hurt?” Eishia questioned him red faced but as caring as ever.
Pushing past his surprise for Fu’s sake he cleared his throat with a small cough before he spoke.“Nobody is hurt but Fu is in heat. I don’t know if it's part of his cycle or something else and I was wondering if you’d check him over.”
“Is that why you’re shirtless?” Riyo cut him off with a curious twinkle in her eye. Ah. He’d forgotten about that. Rubbing his neck and beating himself up over his own thoughtlessness he felt Otto rapidly tapping his head like he was laughing and Gris considered smacking the toy from his shoulder. Crossing his arms over his chest at the suddenly chilly hallway he felt a little foolish for his earlier gesture of good will. “Yes it is, If either of you could give him a few items that would be greatly appreciated.” he said trying to keep on track. All three of the others nodded quickly and Follo and Riyo stepped around both him and Eishia, heading back to their own rooms to grab things.
“I’ll grab Enjin, Zanka and a couple of the other’s things if they let me!” Riyo called as she darted away, disappearing around the nearest corner. “Same here, I’ll see if Tomme is willing to share, she probably is!” Follo said going the other way across the base. “Thanks guys! And don’t worry about Enjin, he's already with Fu!” He called out, making sure to thank them before they disappeared.
Turning back to Eishia he was met with an empty space where she once was. Looking into her room he could see her moving quickly to gather some blankets. “Can you please carry these Gris?” She asked politely, waving him in. Swiftly making his way to her he scooped up the plethora of blankets she handed to him. They all smelled of Follo and Riyo, The two alpha’s dominant scents of burned wood and coconut rising to form the combined scent of a bonfire on the beach. Their recessive scents of chocolate and mint coming together almost like a treat to be shared with a mate.
He felt a smile sliding onto his face at the thought.
Eishia was a sweet girl like her family but unlike them she was painfully shy and lacked self confidence. Follo had gumption and Riyo was a spitfire so he had no doubt they’d pull the healer out of her shell more. Hell Eishia will probably help with reeling the two alphas in if he and Enjin were lucky. He’d definitely be teasing Follo about this when he got the chance though. “Alright I got everything, let's go.” Eishia’s announcement brought him out of his musings. Blinking he saw her determined face march past him and out the door, clutching her medical bag, always on hand. “Such a bright young girl!” Otto tapped against his head, startling him, he had forgotten the other was there despite the small weight on his shoulder.
Eishia waited for him in the hallway and shut her door behind him once he stepped out. They quickly made it back to the guest room and upon going inside he heard Eishia gasp in shock. “Oh yeah.. That is definitely something I’m not qualified to diagnose.” she mumbled, staring at the barrier. He laughed at her bluntness and showed her too the little gap to pass through. Fu’s syrupy sweet scent had gotten heavier since he’d left, probably from overscenting Enjin. “I’m back Fu and I brought Eishia to look you over.” He said, shifting the blankets in his arms and lifted the mattress fort's door.
Before promptly dropping everything he brought and began fighting to smother his laughter, falling to his knees and clutching his stomach he let out a little wheeze of amusement. In the few moments he’d been gone Fu had managed to completely swaddle Enjin in the thin guest sheets and the omega pup had a death grip on his living stuffed animal. “It’s not funny.” Enjin said flatly, clearly embarrassed and trying not to show it. Gris could hear Eishia giggling behind him as she crouched down to look into the cramped space.
“Hey Fu, can I come in?” she said to grab Fu’s attention and the omega chirped at her in acknowledgement, sleepily snuggling further into Enjin's side. Getting her permission she crawled past him and further into the nest to start poking at Fu and asking him and Enjin questions. Gris decided to make himself useful by picking up the blankets he’d dropped and placing them neatly inside. Fu could figure out which ones he wanted when he was up to it.
“Hey Gris! Me and the others/ Holy Shit!” - Follo
“What in the actual Fuck?!” - Zanka
“How do we?...Get through?” - Tomme
“I don’t know but all these blankets are heavy and Amo wants to put them down.” - Rudo
“Exactly what Rudo said!” - Amo
“Hey Gris! Help us out please!” - Riyo
It seemed the cavalry had arrived.
Hearing his name be called out by a larger than expected group he called back to them about the gap and waited for the group to file through. With his head turned over his shoulder he watched them file through like a caravan peddling multiple silken wares. Zanka was the first through and began helping the others pile past the barricade.
As soon as Rudo squeezed in he asked what was shaping up to be tonight's famous question “Why are you shirtless?”. Zanka gave him an exasperated look “Obviously he gave it to Fu.” he snarked. Rudo stuck his tongue out at his trainer and if it wasn’t for Fu’s suddenly delighted yip they probably would have kept fighting. Turning back to look at Fu the pup had brushed past Eishia and abandoned Enjin. Eishia looked startled which honestly he couldn't blame her, he’d never seen an omega just abandon their nest to go up to a large group while in heat. Enjin just looked relieved, unwrapping himself and Epalte who had been hidden, trapped in the blankets. Otto dislodged from his shoulder and moved to rejoin his brother but Gris’s attention was on the suddenly energized omega.
“Permission to use this?” The salmon haired kid asked, bounding over to Tomme who was holding an extremely fluffy and extremely neon pink blanket. “Of course, that's why I brought it.” the young woman said kindly. With trembling hands Fu excitedly took the blanket from Tomme’s own hands. The omega started back towards his fort but a look of uncertainty flashed across his face and he froze.
“What's wrong Fu?” He asked, this was the first normal reaction to anything the boy had since Gris had found him. The boy turned to Enjin, who had crawled next to him, completely ignoring his question. The young omega was giving Enjin a hopeful look, as if expecting something and Enjin’s amused smirk from his teammates' banter moments ago turned downward into a small frown but he seemed to know what Fu wanted “I order you to build a new nest Fu.”.
Gris saw everyone in the room's eyebrows fly upwards in shock and he felt his own damn near hit the ceiling. Then he grimaced, of course Fu would want orders even when his heat should be about his decisions. But now was not the time to try and encourage Fu to think for himself. Besides the omega was beaming and shooing them away from the mattress fort which he proceeded to knock down. “Hey! Be a little more careful!” Zanka said stepping closer in a surprising show of concern but Enjin grabbed his shirt. “Leave it, Fu is freakishly strong.” The other man admonished and Zanka reluctantly stepped back, watching Fu run back and forth.
Fu moved every mattress to the farthest corner of the room and laid them flat on the floor and against the wall. Running back and forth carrying two at a time over each shoulder. They all silently waited for the boy to prepare everything. Occasionally Fu would ask for their input (also strange for an omega in heat) on the nest, which blankets they preferred, which clothes they wore more often. He had them scent items as well, he’d even given Gris back his shirt temporarily. Every couple of items he’d pause as if listening to someone and then continue.
Once the boy was happy he took each of them in a weirdly specific order of shortest to tallest and positioned them in a certain space in his nest just like the other materials. Amo, Riyo and Rudo were closest to the wall, well he and Enjin were towards the edge of the nest. It was spacious enough they could reasonably sprawl out and Fu had taken full advantage. Starfished in the middle with a limb stretched towards him, Enjin, Amo and Tomme he let Eishia finish up checking him over since he interrupted her earlier. The girl gave him a clean bill of health but still his unusual giddiness confused and concerned him.
Amo was the one to pop the question when Fu finally revealed Hii from his pocket by pulling the little doll and setting him down next to Epalte and Otto who had their own pillow to sit upon.
“Amo wants to know why you're being so giddy? You’re just as new as she is so why are you so relaxed?” “Thank You Amo!” He was glad someone as unintentionally blunt as her asked. Despite its harshness Fu smiled at her question, beaming he answered “This is the first time I’ve ever actually made a nest! I’m just happy I get to share it with people as nice as you!”.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh…
Most people who came to the cleaners hadn’t had the most fulfilling childhoods Gris knew this well… but never having a nest as an omega was a type of harsh he’d never imagined. Everyone else in the nest had also gone silent and Fu sensing their change in mood shrunk in on himself, pulling Hii, Otto, and Epalte closer. The quiet lingered as nobody quite knew what to say. Fu’s scent quickly souring, sugary cherries turning sour and stinging his nose.
“I… I never really nested for the longest time either…” Rudo started slowly, the quiet seemingly becoming unbearable for the young alpha “And when I started my nest was actually just full of old junk and Regto couldn’t even lie down in it but he did anyways but thats not the point the point is that even though this is your first nest for sharing its really nice and I think you did a great job!”. At the end of Rudo’s nervous tirade he was huffing and puffing like he ran a marathon which had him and few of the others left trying to stifle their giggles and Fu beaming.
“You really think I did good?” Fu asked, excitement written all over his face and Rudo blushed brightly, going even redder when Amo giggled next to him “Yeah like… I like how the mattresses are against the walls like backrest or uh padding I guess.”. Fu did what seemed like an involuntary wiggle of joy before also going red and pulling a blanket over his face in embarrassment.
“Still though… Have you really never nested before? I just want to know so when your heats over I can come up with a plan to monitor you.” Eishia fretted, fiddling with her vital instrument, wrapping the cord round her fingers. It was common knowledge that nesting helped every dynamics general mental health so Gris assumed the young nurse was asking so she could set up a health plan for the (honestly unwell) omega.
“Well Jabber once let us make up his bed for a week but it… it wasn’t the same, didn’t feel right, there were conditions and stuff. I got to keep one of his hoodies though!” Fu shifted over to closer to Zanka and pulled out a pink hoodie with multiple unsuccessfully washed out bloodstains. Gris couldn’t smell anything from the hoodie, the scent probably long faded but Fu pressed the sleeve to his nose like it was still fresh.
“Was Jabber your longest nesting period ever? How long are your heats in general?” Eishia asked softly from her spot at Riyo’s side, legs across Follo’s lap. “Ah I didn’t have anywhere really permanent or safe so I’d never really have heats last as long as they do now. Usually it was 1 or 2 days max.” Eishia frowned deeply at his answer and Gris felt himself frowning too. Omega heats were supposed to last 2-3 days before omegas came into their late teens early twenties when they lasted a full week. For Fu to have only been having them for 1 or 2 days out of the month his body had to be under a lot of strain.
“Once your heats over and you get some rest I’m taking you to my grandma so we can both look you over.” The medic said with an intense look her passion for caring for others clearly stealing her usually frayed nerves.
Fu let out a squeak and scurried to hide behind Zanka, making the beta when Fu wrapped around him tighter and buried his head into the taller beta’s back to try and escape Eishia’s insistence. Zanka made no move to throw him off and Gris felt his eyes sliding over to Enjin as they shared a knowing look. “Umm I don’t know if we need you to do that…Since I met Hii my heats have always been a little strange anyways.” The omega said which seemed to peak Eishia’s interest even more but Follo cut her off before she could continue.
“What were the conditions you mentioned? The ones with Jabber?” The raven haired Alpha questioned and Gris felt his own inner turmoil about the ferocious raider stir in his side where the other had cut him down. A clearly disturbed young man only a little older than Fu that Gris couldn’t say he felt sorry or but he couldn’t bring himself to hate him either despite all the strife he’d caused. He also wanted to know what the maniac had made Fu do to be able to have a nest in his bed.
“Oh it was nothing too crazy! We had been living together for a little while so we started trading stuff but he had a mattress and I had a dog bed so he told me if I even wanted to get a fold in couch I'd have to take care of cooking and cleaning and picking up the bodies of anybody he killed and stuff.” Fu said looking aggravated “Once I agreed he just kept making such a mess.”. Gris grimaced at the almost casual way Fu described cleaning up murders despite his clear annoyance, it was disturbing. Sending Enjin another look, the blonde man was actually giving Riyo a side eye now, the girl was also the only one who seemingly kept her cool hearing about what Fu had to do for Jabber.
“Well!” Enjin started, clapping his hands and breaking the tension starting to settle again “Why don’t we have a cuddle pile for the night and then in the morning we leave Zanka to take care of Fu well we report to Corvus. Alright Fu get to it!”.
“Sir Yes Sir!” The omega said with a wide grin, leaving his safe space behind Zanka to start dragging the boy by his sleeve to the middle of the nest, beckoning Rudo and Amo to come closer as well. The salmon haired omega slid next to Amo while Rudo took up the girl's other side. Maybe it was because Fu and Amo were the only two omegas there or maybe it was because they were both new to the cleaner fold they seemed almost drawn to each other, quickly becoming attached at the hip.
Follo, Riyo, and Eisha flopped across the other four and Tomme was quick to rest herself near Amo’s legs. Otto and Epalte crawled their way into the middle and into Fu’s hoodie pocket where Gris could see Hii’s tail peeking out. Enjin himself crawled over to Zanka’s side and only snickered at Zanka’s dirty look, the boy clearly not brushing off Enjin making Fu his duty. There was a dusting of red on the boy's cheeks though giving away his joy. At being trusted by Enjin of being able to take care of Fu, Gris didn’t know. Smiling to himself he shuffled over to the empty space by Fu and Zanka’s feet and next to Tomme. There was much squirming and complaining before everyone got fully settled.
Gris heard Fu’s breathing even out first and slowly the others followed his lead. Soon it was only him and Enjin still aware of the night crawling by, soon to reach morning. “We shouldn’t indulge him… I don’t know if he is going to stay.” Enjin's whispered voice carried over to him filled with resignation. “I’m not the one who suggested a cuddle pile Enjin.” He quipped back softly and Enjin scoffed good-naturedly at that. “I also didn’t give him the shirt off my back and grabbed a mini army to baby him.” The blonde man bit out.
Enjin had him there.
Thinking of how relaxed Fu was when he’d first arrived, the barricade, the excitement at people who were basically strangers showing him the bare minimum of kindness, never having an actual nest before. All of it, every single part of Fu’s story made his heart ache for the pup. He could tell Fu was an earnest kid too, someone who truly just wanted to bend to others' whims, be useful to those who took an interest in him. It made sense that Jabber would take advantage of that with his “conditions’ even if Fu was ready to comply. Whatever made Fu the way he is now had to be really bad and Gris just wanted to make it better any way he could.
“I think even if Corvus decides he's not a good fit I’ll help him find a place. The raiders might hunt him down again anyways if they want to tie up loose ends.” He said into the quiet that had formed between them. Enjin hummed in acknowledgement but stayed silent. Gris assumed he’d fallen asleep and as the second ticked by he felt his own eyes growing heavy. He was drifting deeper and deeper into sleep when before he fully drifted off he finally heard Enjin reply.
“You’re not the one who actually has to deal with him, Gris.”